10 Big Video Game Rumors Going Into 2019

Next-gen consoles and long-awaited games highlight the new year's biggest rumors.

By Jordan Sirani

The secretive nature of the games industry breeds endless speculation about what the future holds for console manufacturers and game developers alike. 2018, in particular, introduced exciting rumors that have yet to materialize, creating plenty of question marks for what can be expected in 2019.

To better track these potential stories, we've scoured through the year's insider reports and supposed leaks to compile a list of the biggest ongoing video game rumors. From rumblings of next-gen hardware to whispers of long-awaited sequels, these are the 10 rumored projects to keep an eye on in 2019.

Microsoft and Sony's Next-Gen Consoles

2018 brought with it the first real rumblings of Microsoft and Sony's plans for next-generation consoles. While both companies have acknowledged the existence of new hardware, the details and potential release dates are still heavily rumored.

Microsoft first officially mentioned its work on a new Xbox (or Xboxes) during its E3 2018 press conference, when Phil Spencer said it was "deep into architecting the next Xbox consoles, where we will once again deliver on our commitment to deliver the benchmark of console gaming." Shortly after, a report published by Thurrott claimed Microsoft's next-gen plans include a "series of devices," code-named "Scarlett," that are expected to launch in 2020.

A subsequent report by Thurott, published in July, expanded on the Scarlett rumors. According to the report, Microsoft will release two consoles in 2020: a traditional piece of next-gen hardware and a cheaper, streaming-focused box.

Rumors about Sony's next-gen console, meanwhile, have been more scarce. The company's CEO, Kenichiro Yoshida, told the Financial Times next-generation hardware is "necessary," though he didn't comment on a potential name or any further details for what will likely become PlayStation 5. However, the FT report claims Sony's next console "might not represent a major departure from the PS4, and that the fundamental architecture would be similar."

Considering these rumors, and given the fact that November will mark PlayStation 4 and Xbox One's sixth year on the market, it's not too farfetched to believe we may get our first look at the ninth generation of consoles in 2019.

Nintendo Is Working on an Updated Switch

Before we're introduced to next-gen hardware, Nintendo may release a new version of its handheld-home console hybrid.

Microsoft Considering a Disc-less Xbox One

According to a report published by Thurrott, the removal of a disc drive would allow Microsoft to sell a variation of its Xbox One for $200 USD or less. The rumored SKU would reportedly be accompanied by a "disc-to-digital" program, allowing current Xbox One owners to trade in their physical games at participating retailers for a digital download code.

A Harry Potter RPG Is in Development

The video was reportedly leaked by a Reddit user who was shown the gameplay as part of a mall survey group. The footage, which has since been taken down, showed the makings of a promising Wizarding World RPG, complete with character customization, Hogwarts houses, and familiar spells.

The legitimacy of the leak was corroborated by BBC News reporter Lizo Mzimba, who said the footage was from "a yet to be announced RPG currently titled Harry Potter Magic Awakened." While nothing about the potential game has been confirmed, it's rumored to be in development at Warner Bros.-owned Avalanche Software, makers of Disney Infinity.

Rocksteady's Mysterious Next Game

There's been no shortage of speculation about what Rocksteady's been working on since it wrapped the Batman: Arkham trilogy in 2015.

However, 2019 will mark the fourth year since the studio's last AAA release (not counting 2016's Batman: Arkham VR), making an announcement of what's to come fairly likely over the course of the next 12 months.

Blizzard Is Developing Diablo 4 Under the Code Name 'Feris'

Blizzard has reportedly been working on the next mainline Diablo, under the code name "Feris," since 2016. While this remains a rumor, the information comes from Kotaku's Jason Schreier, who cites nearly a dozen current and former Blizzard employees in his report.

The rumored Diablo 4 wouldn't be released until 2020 at the earliest, according to the report, and would introduce "light MMO elements" to the series. "Embrace the darkness" is said to be one of the guiding principles within Blizzard for the game and its art direction.

Hopes for a new mainline Diablo are especially high after the reveal of Diablo: Immortal, a mobile-only spinoff, was met with severe fan backlash.

A New BioShock Is in the Works

Early last year, an in-depth report on Mafia 3 developer Hangar 13, again published by Kotaku's Jason Schreier, featured a hidden nugget about the future of BioShock: the series' next game is currently in development as a top-secret project code-named "Parkside."

2K Games parent company Take-Two Interactive previously called BioShock "unquestionably a permanent franchise," seemingly hinting at another entry in the beloved series, which hasn't seen a new release since BioShock Infinite in 2013. However, development on "Parkside" was said to be in its early stages, making a 2019 announcement far from a sure thing.

An Official Borderlands 3 Reveal

Fans are eagerly awaiting more news on another long-rumored 2K Games sequel, Borderlands 3. While confirmation of its existence came in 2016, developer Gearbox has yet to formally announce a title or reveal any official details about the next Borderlands.

At GDC 2017, Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford showed off an early tech demo of the next Borderlands in Unreal Engine 4. However, as Pitchford stressed at the time, this was simply a tech demo and "not a video game." Six months later, Pitchford said 90% of Gearbox's development team was "working on the thing I think most of you guys want us to be working on," which many took to mean Borderlands 3.

With development seemingly in full swing on the next Borderlands, additional rumors, or perhaps an official reveal, are likely to come in 2019. However, it's worth noting 2K recently delayed a "highly-anticipated title from one of 2K’s biggest franchises" into 2020. That title remains unknown, but Borderlands 3 is as good a guess as any.

Microsoft Is Reviving Fable

The early weeks of 2018 provided us with one of the year's biggest rumors: a new Fable is in development at Forza Horizon developer Playground Games. The revival, which is reportedly still early on in development, is said to be a big-budget, character-focused RPG.

In 2017, Playground was hiring for a top-secret open-world action-RPG, which puts it in line with the rumored revival's description. Among Playground's key hires were developers who worked on Grand Theft Auto V, Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain, Star Wars Battlefront 2, and Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice.

Valve Is Creating Its Own VR Headset (and Half-Life VR Game)

Perhaps even more interesting than the headset itself is the accompanying rumor that Valve is developing a new Half-Life game for the headset. The potential VR game, which was first rumored in 2016, would reportedly be a prequel and mark the first new Half-Life release since 2007.

We'll be keeping a close watch on each of these potential stories, so be sure to check back to IGN for all the latest. In the meantime, let us know which rumor has you most excited in the comments below!

Jordan is a freelance writer for IGN. Follow him on Twitter @jdsirani.